The Angels announced that they have released the lefty reliever Joey Lucchesi from his minor league contract. He spent the last month at Triple-A Salt Lake.
Lucchesi has been in and out of the lineup since the end of Spring Training. He was in camp with the Giants on a minor league deal, and left when San Francisco informed him he wouldn’t make it. Lucchesi signed a major league contract with the Halos and was in the club on Opening Day. He was designated to serve a few weeks into the season.
The 6’5″ southpaw cleared waivers, elected free agency, then returned on a minor league deal. He was called again in late April and the cycle repeated itself. Lucchesi returned with a second minor league contract after another quick DFA and free agent. He played in five MLB games this year, allowing six runs on seven hits and six walks over 3 1/3 innings.
Lucchesi pitched 18 frames against Salt Lake. He owns a 4.50 earned run average with a solid 28% strikeout rate compared to a manageable 9.9% walk percentage. Decent numbers overall, though he did issue three walks and give up two runs in his last appearance.
The Angels did not specify whether Lucchesi caused his exit from the party. That seems plausible, since June 1 is the usual opt-out date for veterans on minor league contracts. In any case, the team opted not to bring Lucchesi back to the existing MLB bullpen. Drew Pomeranz again Brent Suter. Long keys Mitch Farris again Sam Aldegheriwho is remembered today, also throws from the left side.
